I live in Cambodia. When I live in Cambodia, I sometimes think that Japan is good, and on the contrary, I often feel that this is a problem in Japan. Also, I lived in Australia before living in Cambodia, and at that time I also felt the goodness and badness of Japan. Here, I would like to introduce the pros and cons of Japan that you can understand only because you lived abroad.
Advantage of Japan
It’s safe
Japan is one of the best in the world and has good security. For example, if you go to the bathroom with your luggage in a cafe or restaurant, it won’t be stolen. Some people leave their smartphones on the table to take a seat. You can sleep on the train and it is safe for drunk people to sleep on the street in the middle of the night. A woman can go out in the middle of the night, or if she drops her wallet or cell phone, it will be delivered to the police box. In the first place, when it is possible to put a wallet or mobile phone in the back pocket of the pants, it turns out that it is a safe society anyway.
My cousin lives in the United States. He went to a breakfast buffet at a hotel in Japan, but when he saw a Japanese person leaving his cellphone on the table, he misunderstood that it was a forgotten item and went to deliver it in a hurry. Then he was told that it was for taking a seat, and I was very surprised. Also, Cambodia, where I live, has a lot of scratches and snatches, so I can’t put my wallet or cell phone in my pocket. My Japanese friend had been drunk at night and fell asleep on the streets of Cambodia, and when he woke up, all his belongings had been stolen. Of course, this is really my own business. He is also laughing and talking, “I’m glad I had a life.”
You may not be wondering if you live in Japan, but this is a wonderful thing that you can be proud of in the world.
They care about environment
In Japan these days, it is very difficult to separate garbage. Not only does it separate burnable and non-burnable garbage, but also plastic, paper, PET bottles and much more. Of course, it depends on the area, but when I lived in Tokyo, I was told to remove the PET bottle label cleanly, wash it, and throw it away. If the plastic trash is dirty, I have to wash it off, and I remember washing and throwing away the potato chips bag I finally ate. Speaking of annoyance, it’s annoying, but I think Japan, where this is a habit, is wonderful.
I don’t know if it’s better to compare, but there is only one type of garbage in Cambodia. When I woke up one day, it was covered with interesting smoke, and when I was wondering if there was a fire somewhere, there was no source of fire, and apparently a large number of PET bottles were being burned at the factory.
Food is great
This is because I was born and raised in Japan, and I also like special Japanese food, but even if it isn’t, Japanese food is delicious, isn’t it? It is also attractive that you can eat good quality food at low prices at chain stores such as beef bowl shops.
I also like Cambodian food, but when my boss, who had returned to Japan for a while, bought a happy turn as a souvenir, I remember being overwhelmed and impressed. I never bought it myself when I was in Japan.
Japanese bars
Japanese izakaya culture is a place to “drink while eating”, isn’t it? It is also a place where you can enjoy delicious yakitori and delicious beer at the same time, and talk with your friends for a long time.
Overseas, I feel that “the place to eat is the place to eat” and “the place to drink is the place to drink”. For example, the place to eat is a pizzeria, and the place to drink is a bar or pub. Of course, you can drink wine at a pizzeria, but I don’t have the image of staying longer. I sometimes miss the Japanese izakaya culture where you can eat and drink delicious food.
Disadvantages
Not in interested in world politics
When I was attending a language school in Australia, I had occasional discussion classes. The topics were “about the politics and elections of my country,” “about the environment,” and “about the social situation,” and it was always Japanese, including myself, who kept silent.
People from other countries were active in talking about politics, even young people. Foreigners talk about politics and economics at the bar, just as we talk about romance in a tavern. After I went abroad, I learned how much I didn’t know or was interested in politics and economics. I also felt embarrassed that I couldn’t talk to people overseas even though it was my own country. Since then, I have become interested in Japanese politics and economy.
Too much work
Did you know that the word “karoshi” is used as it is in English? Nowadays, the word karoshi is used everywhere in the world. When I was in Japan, I knew that fact but didn’t think it was a problem. Since I was working as a long-term care worker, I had almost no overtime, and although it was difficult to get paid, I think I had more time off than other office workers. But now, I think Japanese people are overworked. Rather, I think the way people feel about work is a little different from people in other countries.
Working for a company means earning income in exchange for a labor force. The company pays for its workforce. Those who are hired must also do the work that is commensurate with their salary. It’s equal, there’s no top or bottom. On the flip side, there shouldn’t be unpaid overtime or holiday work that isn’t worth the salary.
Of course, work also involves responsibility, so you do your work within your own responsibilities. Overtime will be unavoidable if you can’t finish your work in time. However, unlike Japanese people, there is almost no feeling overseas that they cannot disobey the orders of their bosses, that newcomers cannot take time off, and that overtime work is a matter of course. I use bang bang for paid leave.
Of course, Japan also differs from company to company, and not all companies do. However, I would like you to remember the sense of “working for living” and “working for living” rather than the consciousness of “working for the company” and “living for work”.
Japanese characteristics you realized in other countries
What do you think. Sometimes it’s hard to understand when you live in Japan. When you go abroad, you can see your own country objectively, which leads to new discoveries. If you have time, please go out of the sea.
